Disposable Splash Shield for Use When Plunging A Toilet

ABSTRACT

A transparent, biodegradable, disposable splash shield sized to fit on a toilet bowl rim to prevent splashing of water from the bowl when a plunger is used to free an obstruction in the toilet. The shield is dome shaped and has a gripping bead at a top central portion thereof. A gasket seal is affixed to a bottom marginal edge portion to affect a seal between the shield and the toilet bowl rim. Adhesive material on the underside of the gasket seal, or strips of adhesive tape on the marginal edge of the shield, releasably secure the shield in position. The shield is nestable and may be foldable in half. A toilet kit includes the splash shield, gloves, at least one paper towel, and a flattened box, all packaged in an envelope-like bag that can be used to contain and dispose of these items following use.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for use in plunging flush toilets, and particularly to a splash shield for preventing splashing of water out of a toilet when a plunger is being used to unclog the toilet.

BACKGROUND ART

Residential and commercial toilets dispose of human waste by using water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location. Most modern flush toilets incorporate an ‘S’ bend or trap that normally remains filled with water to create a water seal that prevents flow of noxious gases back through the toilet. The trap also provides a siphon action that helps accelerate the flushing process. When the toilet is flushed, water fills up the bowl and creates a high pressure area that forces the water past the trap. If the trap should become obstructed, the toilet can overflow when it is flushed. A plunger typically is used to remove the obstruction, but its use can result in splashing of water and other material from the toilet.

Several devices have been developed in the prior art to prevent splashing of water from the toilet when a plunger is being used to remove an obstruction from the toilet. Exemplary of such devices are those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,368, 4,831,669, 4,922,555, 5,706,528, 5,860,170, 6,487,730, 6,594,831 and 7,134,450. These devices are either intended for re-use and are relatively expensive and complex in construction, and/or are difficult to use.

Applicant's copending U.S. patent application, published under Publication Number 2010/0000010, provides a see-through splash shield and kit, wherein the shield is inexpensive and easy to use and is disposable following use. However, the shield is flat and provides minimal clearance for movement of water during use. Moreover, it fits closely around the plunger handle extending through it, increasing the risk that use of the plunger will dislodge the shield from the rim of the toilet bowl.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a simple, inexpensive, easy to use, disposable splash shield is provided to prevent splashing of water from a toilet when a plunger is being used to remove an obstruction from the toilet. The splash shield of the invention comprises a transparent biodegradable domed shield body having sufficient thickness and rigidity to maintain its shape and having an annular marginal edge portion with a bottom surface adapted to fit on an upper surface of a toilet bowl rim. A gasket seal is affixed to the bottom surface of the marginal edge portion for effecting a seal between the shield and the toilet bowl rim, and means forms an opening through the shield body for receiving a plunger handle so that the plunger can be reciprocated relative to the shield without moving the shield away from the rim and destroying the seal. The opening is positioned in the shield body so that it is in substantial alignment with a drain opening from the toilet bowl when the splash shield is in use and is correctly positioned on the rim of a toilet bowl. Releasable adhesive means is carried by the shield for releasably securing the shield in place on a toilet bowl.

In a preferred embodiment the means forming an opening through the shield body is an upwardly extending conical projection that loosely receives a toilet plunger handle, with an annular bead around its upper end forming a gripping means to facilitate removal of the shield from the plunger handle following use.

In an alternate preferred embodiment, the means forming an opening comprises a flexible membrane that closely receives the plunger handle but that permits substantial relative movement between the handle and the shield.

The shield is nestable with like shields for compact packaging and storage, and in a further preferred embodiment the shield is foldable so that it can be folded into a smaller configuration for shipping, storage and disposal.

The gasket seal preferably is made of cardboard and the releasable adhesive means preferably comprises strips of tape around the periphery of the shield that are folded downwardly and pressed against an upper outer surface of the toilet bowl to hold the shield in place during use. Alternatively, the gasket seal may be made of a sponge-like foam material. Further, the releasable adhesive means may comprise an adhesive material applied to the underside of the gasket seal, whereby the marginal edge portion of the shield merely needs to be pressed downwardly against the rim of the toilet bowl. Still further, the releasable adhesive means may comprise both the strips of tape and the adhesive material applied to the underside of the gasket seal.

According to another aspect of the invention, a kit is provided that includes the splash shield, a pair of latex or nitrile rubber gloves, a box for transporting a plunger to a location to be cleaned after it has been used, and optionally one or more paper towels. The shield, gloves, box and paper towels preferably are packaged together in an envelope-like bag that can be used to dispose of these items following their use. If desired, an inexpensive disposable plunger can be a part of the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an elongated toilet bowl with a transparent plastic splash shield according to a first form of the invention in place over the toilet bowl rim and a plunger in operative position below the shield, with the handle of the plunger received through the opening in the shield.

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary side view in elevation of the toilet bowl and shield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the shield of FIG. 1, showing the protective peel-away strip being removed from the adhesive surface of the gasket seal.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the an alternative embodiment of the shield of FIG. 1, wherein strips of tape are used in place of or in addition to the adhesive surface of FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4, wherein the gasket seal comprises a sponge-like foam material.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but showing an embodiment wherein the gasket shield is made of cardboard.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of the splash shield of FIG. 4, shown in place on the rim of a toilet bowl.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of an upper portion of the shields of FIGS. 1-7, showing the construction of the opening means.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 4, showing the protective peel-away strip being removed from the adhesive side on one of the strips of adhesive tape.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of splash shield according to the invention wherein the shield has a round configuration for use on a round toilet bowl, and wherein strips of adhesive tape are used to secure the shield in place.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a plurality of the shields of FIGS. 1-7 in stacked relationship, with dot-and-dash lines indicating a container in which the stacked shields may be packaged, it being understood that a like stacking relationship exists for that form of the invention shown in FIGS. 10-11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment wherein a bellows-folded flexible membrane is secured at one end in the opening through the domed shield and engaged at its other end with the plunger handle.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a further embodiment wherein the flexible membrane comprises a sheet secured at an outer edge in the opening through the domed shield and engaged at its inner edge with the plunger handle.

FIG. 14A is a top perspective view of the membrane of FIG. 14, shown removed from the shield body.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a plurality of the shield of either FIG. 13 or 14 in stacked relationship with one another, with dot-and-dash lines indicating a container in which the stacked shields may be packaged.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a kit according to the invention, wherein a splash shield, gloves, paper towels, and a flattened box are packaged in an envelope-like bag.

FIG. 17 depicts the bag of FIG. 16 being used to dispose of a used shield, towels and gloves, and also showing it being used to carry a plunger to be cleaned or for disposal.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view showing the box from the package of FIG. 16 in an expanded or opened up condition and being used to carry a used plunger to a location to be cleaned.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of an embodiment wherein a plurality of splash shields is packaged in an envelope.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A first form of splash shield according to the invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-5. In this form of the invention the shield body 11 is made of a biodegradable transparent plastic material having sufficient thickness and rigidity to maintain its shape when being used, and has an elongated shape to conform to the shape of the rim of an elongated toilet bowl 12. The thickness and rigidity of the shield may be similar to that of a plastic water bottle, i.e. having a thickness on the order of about 0.010 inch, and the biodegradable material may comprise the same material used in the BioGreen water bottles made by California Springs Water Bottles. That material is a low density polyethylene with an additive California Springs Water Bottles calls Bio-Batch. This material helps the bottles biodegrade in an active microbial environment which is present in landfills and compost facilities.

The shield body 11 is dome shaped with a flat annular marginal edge 13. The top of the domed shield body is shaped as an upstanding conically shaped projection 14 in a position to be in approximate alignment with the drain opening from the toilet bowl when the shield is in operative position. As seen best in FIG. 8, the upper end of the projection 14 is first turned outwardly to form an annular outwardly projection bead 15, and then turned inwardly to form an inwardly directed lip 16 that surrounds the handle H of a plunger P. The projection 14 and bead 15 form a gripping means to facilitate removal of the shield from the handle of the plunger following use, and the lip 16 helps prevent splashing of water past the handle where it extends through the upper end of the conically shaped projection. As depicted in FIG. 8, some clearance is provided between the inwardly turned lip 16 and the plunger handle to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the shield during use of the plunger.

A gasket seal 17 extends around the marginal edge of the shield on its underside. The gasket seal mates with the rim of the toilet bowl to affect a good seal between the shield and the toilet bowl. The gasket seal may comprise any suitable material that will absorb water and prevent it from leaking past the margin of the shield. A suitable example would be a sponge-like foam material as shown at 17A in FIG. 5, or cardboard as shown at 17B in FIG. 6.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 the underside of the gasket seal 17 has an adhesive 18 applied to it, either in the form of double sided tape or a coating of adhesive on the gasket seal. In either case, a protective peel-away strip 19 of paper or other material known in the art for this purpose preferably is applied to the adhesive to prevent it from adhering to something until ready for use. The peel-away strip is then removed, as depicted in FIG. 3, which shows the shield upside down for purpose of illustration, and the marginal edge of the shield with the exposed adhesive on its underside is pressed downwardly against the rim R of toilet bowl 12 to attach and seal the shield to the toilet bowl.

As seen best in FIG. 2, the marginal edge 13 of the shield 11 could project slightly beyond the outer surface of the toilet bowl to provide an edge under which the fingers can be placed to facilitate lifting of the shield from the bowl when desired.

In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 9, strips of adhesive tape 20 are spaced around the periphery of the shield for use in attaching the shield to the rim of a toilet bowl. Four such strips of tape are shown in FIG. 4, but any number could be used, as desired or necessary. Alternatively, both forms of adhesive securing means could be provided in combination, if desired. As depicted in FIG. 9, the strips of adhesive tape preferably have a protective peel-away strip 21 applied to the adhesive side to prevent the strips of tape from adhering to objects until ready for use. In use, the shield is positioned on the rim of the toilet bowl, the peel-away strips are removed, and the strips of tape pulled downwardly and pressed against the outside of the toilet bowl to secure the shield in place.

The domed shape of the shield provides clearance beneath the shield to accommodate displacement of water during use of the plunger, and the conically shaped projection 14 with its outwardly turned bead 15 on its upper end enables a user to grip the bead to facilitate removal of the shield from the plunger handle following use. The transparency of the shield enables a user to observe progress during use of the plunger, and the use of biodegradable material in its construction enables environmentally friendly disposal of the shield following use.

An alternate preferred embodiment 10B is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, wherein the shield 11′ is round rather than elongated as in the first form of the invention. In all other respects this form of the invention is the same as that previously described, and preferably has strips of adhesive tape 20 spaced around the periphery of the shield, and/or an adhesive applied to the underside of the gasket seal 17 to engage against the top surface of the rim of a toilet bowl.

As depicted in FIG. 12, a plurality of one of the embodiments of shields shown in FIGS. 1-11 are nestable with one another so that a desired number of shields, e.g. 3 to 5, may be compactly stacked together for storage and/or packaging in a container C, indicated by dot-and-dash lines.

A further preferred embodiment 10C is shown in FIG. 13, wherein the top of the dome shaped shield body 25 has an enlarged opening 26 formed through it and a flexible accordion-pleated membrane 27 is secured in the opening. One end 28 of the membrane is radially enlarged and glued or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the shield body around the opening 26, and the other end 29 is positioned in close fitting relationship around the plunger handle. An annular bead 30 is formed around said other end, and the membrane and bead form a gripping means to facilitate removal of the shield from a plunger handle following use. Further, during use of this form of the invention the membrane permits substantial movement of the plunger in multiple directions relative to the shield, as depicted by the broken lines, without imparting any force on the shield. The membrane may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and has a thickness and flexibility similar to that of a plastic grocery bag and preferably is formed of a biodegradable material. In all other respects this form of the invention is identical to the previous embodiments, including the use of a gasket seal 17 and adhesive means such as the strips of tape 20 and/or adhesive on the underside of the gasket seal to secure the shield to a toilet bowl.

A still further preferred embodiment is indicated generally at 10D in FIGS. 14 and 14A. In this embodiment the top of the dome shaped shield body 25′ has an enlarged opening 26 formed through it as in the FIG. 13 embodiment, but instead of an accordion-pleated membrane as in the previous embodiment, the membrane comprises a sheet 32 of flexible material having an outer edge 33 glued or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the shield body around the opening 26, and an inner edge 34 positioned in close fitting relationship around the plunger handle. The inner edge is formed as a short upstanding conical projection 35 with an annular bead 36 at its upper end. The projection and bead form a gripping means to facilitate removal of the shield form the handle of a plunger following use. The width of the membrane between its inner and outer edges is substantially greater than the distance between the edge of the opening 26 and the handle, whereby the membrane has excess material between its outer edge fixed to the shield body and its inner edge engaged with the plunger handle, enabling substantial movement of the plunger handle in multiple directions relative to the shield without such movement exerting any force on the shield.

FIG. 15 depicts a plurality of shields according to either the FIG. 13 or FIG. 14 embodiment disposed in nested relationship. The close-fitting nested relationship of the shields enables a plurality of them to be compactly stacked for storage and/or packaging in a container C, indicated by dot-and-dash lines.

A kit incorporating one or more disposable splash shields according to any of the forms of the invention disclosed herein is shown at 50 in FIG. 16. The kit comprises container 51 in which are packaged one or more shields (a shield 11 is depicted in the drawing), a pair of latex or nitrile rubber gloves 52, one or more paper towels 53, and a small flattened or collapsed cardboard box 54. As shown in this figure, the container comprises an envelope-like bag preferably having an eyelet 55 in one end and a frangible tear line 56 to enable the bag to be opened to gain access to the contents. Alternatively, the container could comprise a box as depicted somewhat schematically in FIGS. 12 and 15.

After the shield has been used, the shield, gloves, and used paper towels may be returned to the container 51 for disposal, as depicted in FIG. 17. If a disposable plunger has been used it may also be placed in the bag as shown. If the plunger is not to be disposed of, the box 54 can be opened up and the plunger placed in the box as depicted in FIG. 18 so that the plunger can be carried to a location to be cleaned without dripping soiled water onto the floor.

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment 50′ wherein one or more splash shields according to any of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be packaged in a container 51′ (a plurality of stacked shields 11 are shown in this figure), without gloves or other accessories provided in the package. Any number of shields may be included, but 5-10 are contemplated. Further, the full kit shown in FIG. 16 may include a plurality of splash shields, if desired.

The invention is usable with any type of plunger, and may be adapted to any shape and size of toilet. Although transparent plastic has been disclosed as the preferred material, it should be understood that other materials could be used as long as they are suitable for the intended purpose. The kit may include a disposable plunger or sold without a plunger included, as desired.

Although particular embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A disposable splash shield for preventing splashing of water out of a toilet when a plunger is being used to unclog the toilet, said shield comprising: a dome shaped shield body having a flat annular marginal edge portion with a bottom surface adapted to fit on an upper surface of a toilet bowl rim, said shield body being transparent to enable a user to view through the shield and into the toilet bowl when the shield is operatively positioned on a toilet bowl; an opening formed through a central portion of said shield body for receiving a plunger handle, said opening being positioned in said shield body so that it is in substantial alignment with a drain opening from the toilet bowl when the splash shield is in use and is correctly positioned on the rim of a toilet bowl; gripping means at a top central portion of said shield body around said opening to facilitate removal of said shield from a plunger handle following use; a gasket seal affixed to the bottom surface of said marginal edge portion for effecting a seal between said shield and said toilet bowl rim; and adhesive means carried by said shield for releasably securing said shield in place on a toilet bowl.
 2. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said shield body is foldable in half about a transverse fold line for compact storage and shipment.
 3. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said gripping means comprises an upstanding conical projection having an upper end with an annular bead thereon.
 4. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said gripping means comprises a flexible membrane having an outer edge secured to said shield body around said opening, and an inner edge adapted to be disposed in close fitting relationship to the handle of a plunger when in use.
 5. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said flexible membrane is accordion-pleated.
 6. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said flexible membrane comprises a flat sheet having a width between said inner and outer edges that is greater than the distance from an edge of said opening to a plunger handle extended therethrough.
 7. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said shield body is made of a biodegradable plastic material.
 8. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said adhesive means comprises an adhesive band on an underside of said gasket seal.
 9. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said adhesive means comprises a plurality of strips of adhesive tape affixed to said marginal edge portion of said shield body for attachment to an adjacent upper outer surface portion of a toilet bowl.
 10. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said adhesive means comprises a plurality of strips of adhesive tape affixed to said outer marginal edge portion of said shield body for attachment to an adjacent upper outer surface portion of a toilet bowl.
 11. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said adhesive means comprises a plurality of strips of adhesive tape affixed to said outer marginal edge portion of said shield body for attachment to an adjacent upper outer surface portion of a toilet bowl.
 12. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 8, wherein: a strip of peel-away material is applied to said adhesive band to prevent it from adhering to something until it is desired to use the shield.
 13. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 9, wherein: a strip of peel-away material is applied to said strips of adhesive tape to prevent them from adhering to something until it is desired to use the shield.
 14. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said shield body is foldable about a transverse fold line to make it more compact for storage and shipping.
 15. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 14, wherein: said shield is part of a kit that includes said shield body, a pair of latex or nitrile rubber gloves, at least one paper towel, and an envelope-like bag, said shield body, said gloves, and said at least one paper towel being packaged in said envelope-like bag for display and sale, and said bag comprising a container for receiving and disposing of said shield body, said gloves, and said at least one paper towel following use thereof.
 16. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 14, wherein: a plurality of shields are packaged together in a container for display and sale.
 17. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said shield is nestable with like shields whereby a plurality of said shields may be stacked together for compact packaging and storage.
 18. A disposable splash shield kit, comprising: an envelope-like bag; a disposable splash shield packaged in said bag, said shield intended for preventing splashing of water out of a toilet when a plunger is being used to unclog the toilet, and comprising a substantially flat planar shield body having an annular marginal edge portion with a bottom surface adapted to fit on an upper surface of a toilet bowl rim, said shield body being folded in half; a pair of latex or nitrile rubber gloves packaged in said bag with said splash shield; and at least one paper towel packaged in said bag with said gloves and said splash shield, said bag comprising a container for receiving and disposing of said splash shield, said gloves, and said at least one paper towel following use thereof.
 19. A kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein: a box in a flattened condition is in said bag, said box being openable to an expanded condition to hold a plunger following use for carrying the plunger to a location to be cleaned. 